Courier Cookbook Thirsty Thursdays

After "Meatless Mondays," "Taco Tuesday," and "Wicked Wednesdays," quench your thirst with "Thirsty Thursdays" elixirs. Alcohol is not required, but often desired. Enjoy some of these concoctions any day of the week.

Sometimes Fridays are a challenge after waking up from Thirsty Thursdays. So next week, discover "Fishy Fridays." Send your favorite fish recipes to editorial@lhvc.com. Fish in any form are welcome including, tacos revisited, stew, grilled, fried, sandwiches, or whatever suits your Friday fancy.

THE LAST WORD

It is easy to be green! To order it correctly, ask for "A The Last Word."

Ingredients:

1 oz. gin

1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

1 oz. maraschino liqueur

1 oz. green chartreuse

Optional: brandied cherry garnish

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, and shake briskly. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with brandied cherry if desired.

CORPSE REVIVER #2

From London's Savoy Hotel

Ingredients:

1 tsp absinthe

1 oz. London dry gin

1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 oz. Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano

1 oz. Cointreau/triple sec

Lemon zest or twist

Directions:

In a pre-chilled cocktail glass, add absinthe. Swirl to coat the interior of the glass, and discard excess.

Combine other ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, and shake briskly. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with lemon zest or twist.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE MOCKTAIL

Submitted by Biff Warren

Ingredients:

Equal parts cranberry juice and orange juice

One orange, sliced and quartered

Sprite or 7-Up

Ice cubes

Directions:

Mix cranberry juice and orange juice.

Pour over ice.

Add orange slices.

Add Sprite or 7-Up for sweeter taste.

MOJITO MOCKTAIL

Submitted by Will Smith

An alcohol-free refreshing drink of lime and mint to enjoy everyday. Not just Thursdays.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Sprite

1/4 cup of lime cucumber Gatorade

6 mint leaves

½ of a lime

1 1/2 cup of ice

Directions:

Cut 1/2 of a lime into 4 slices.

Cut one of the lime slices into small pieces and set aside for later.

Place mint leaves and two lime slices in a 16 oz. glass.

Muddle the mint leaves and lime slices together.

Fill the glass to the top with ice.

Add Gatorade and top with Sprite.

Garnish with lime slices and mint leaf.

Enjoy!

Alternative: replace Gatorade and Sprite with simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved and cooled) and soda or sparkling water.